Cleaning apparatus for removing foreign matter from peas



Sept. 21, 1954 c, KEY 2,689,650

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FOREIGN MATTER FROM PEAS Filed Sept. 29, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l I l i i f g: m I

I C/aude L. Key J INVENTOR.

Sept. 21, 1954 c. 1.. KEY 2,689,650

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FOREIGN MATTER FROM PEAS Filed Sept. 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

80* 74 f a 74 a0 78 i J Claude L. Key

66 INVENTOR.

BY MM 3% Sept. 21, 1954 Q KEY 2,689,650

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FOREIGN MATTER FROM PEAS Filed Sept. 29, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 C/aude L. Key INVENTOR.

Ann-q:

Patented Sept. 21 1954 CLEANING APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FOREIGN MATTER FROM PEAS Claude L. Key, Milton-Freewater, Oreg. Application September 29, 1952, Serial No. 312,008

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cleaning apparatus and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a flotation cleaner whereby foreign matter may be withdrawn from a solution containing peas.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a flotation cleaner that will satisfactorily remove foreign matter in peas such as skins, pod-fragments, leaves, night-shade berries, thistles, tarweed and other material while the sound peas are withdrawn from the flotation cleaner.-

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flotation cleaner that will remove foreign substances to the extent that the treated peas will only require the minimum of inspection. A further object of the present invention is to provide a flotation cleaner for peas involving two primary steps, namely, the pretreatment and separation. In the first step, the washing, drained peas from the preparation line are fed into a pretreating flume wherein the peas are wetted by an emulsion liquid. The top reel of the apparatus separates the peas from the pretreater fluid which is returned to a supply tank. The treated peas will enter the separator through the top feed hopper and the separator will classify the peas as sinkers and the foreign material as floaters on the basis of difference in wetability. The sound peas will drop to the bottom of the separator whereas the foreign matter will rise and be withdrawn.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a flotation cleaner involving novel and improved means mounted within a pea receiving hopper that will eject air bubbles into a solution in the hopper so that the air-bubbles will collect upon foreign matter and reduce the density of the foreign matter so that it may rise in the hopper to be withdrawn.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the flotation cleaner and with parts broken away and shown in section for the convenience of explanation;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of Figure 1 and with the separator broken away to show the means mounted therein; 7

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 33 of Figure 5;

Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the spray head used in conjunction with the present invention and mounted upon the air supply pipe;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 6-6 of Figure 2; and,

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of Figure 2 and with parts of the combined shield and baflie broken away and shown in section.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purposes of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral I0 represents the flota tion cleaner for peas generally, including a supporting framework l2 that supports a separator tank or hopper l 4 having upper and lower conical or tapered end portions I6 and I 8. An outlet conduit 20 extends from the apex of the lower portion l8 and enters the open end of a dewatering reel 22 that is rotatably supported on framework I2 over a separator emulsion reservoir 24. A longitudinal portion of the dewatering reel 22 is perforated, as at 26, to permit a solution in the reel to drain into the reservoir 24. One end of the dewatering reel 22 communicates with a delivery trough 28 so that sound peas may be flumed out and collected or further treated. The reel 22 is provided with a horizontally disposed supporting shaft 30 at its closed end that is journaled in bearings 32 on the framework. A motor 34 in the framework is connected to shaft 30, by drive chain 36, to impart rotation to the reel 22.

A horizontally disposed cylinder or treater recovery reel 38 is provided with a supporting shaft 40 that is journaled in bearings 4| on the upper portion of framework I2 above the motor 34. Drive 36 is connected to the shaft 40 to cause rotation of the reel 38 during operation of motor 34.

A pea supply pipe 42 is supported on the framework I 2 and has one end disposed within the recovery reel 38. The opposite end of pipe 42 is formed with an upwardly facing mouth portion 44 that is disposed beneath a discharge hopper mouth 46 and the ejection end 48 of an oil emulsion discharge conduit 50.

An oil emulsion treatment reservoir 52 is mounted on framework l2 adjacent reservoir 24 and receives the lower end of the conduit 50 therein. A drain pipe 54 is provided with a discharge end that faces the reservoir 52 and the pipe 54 includes an upper end that extends into a horizontal trough or recovery hopper 56 on the framework I2 in which the lower portion of reel 38 is disposed.

Trough 56 is provided with an outlet conduit 58 which forms the inlet conduit for hopper I l. The vertical portion 59 of conduit :58 extends axially of and into the upper portion I6 and terminates well above the lower portion l8.

Overflow conduit means for debris or foreign matter is provided in the form of a housing portion 60 that is secured on to the upper end of portion [6. The upper wall of portion 60 is formed with an opening accommodating conduit portion 59. The overflow conduit means also includes a pipe 62 that extends fromhousing portion 6!! and to a suitable sump or collecting container.

The present invention does not attempt to claim the above structure which is disclosed in more detail in my 'U. S. Patent No. 2,597,108, issued May 20, 1952, since this invention comprises a device mounted within the hopper l4 whereby foreign matter may be separated from peas and removed from the hopper 1.4.

To accomplish the desired results, a delivery pipe 6 extends into the lower portion l8 and includes a vertical discharge end portion 65 that is disposed axially of the hopper at the lower portion thereof and which supports a spray head 69. The upper externally threaded end of portion-56 receivably engages the internally threaded flange portion 58 of a cap 10 having circumferentially spaced apertures l2. Horizontal tubular arms 14 project radially from the flanged portion 58 and are fixed to the flanged portion with their inner ends concentric with apertures l2.

The outer ends of the arms 14 are fixed to a circular pipe to having downwardly extending orifices or apertures "58 in its lower periphery. Arms 14 are also provided with downwardly facing apertures 86 .in their lower peripheries, as shown in Figure 3.

A combined shield and baffle BI is suitably supported within the hopper It over the spray head 69and includes a fluted frusto-conical lower portion 82 having perforations 84 between adjacent flutes to prevent peas from accumulating between adjacent flutes. An imperforate conical deflector cap 86 is fixed to the minor end of portion 82 and is spaced below and registers with conduit 5% to deflect material passing from conduit 58 toward the sides of the hopper 14.

Delivery pipe 64 is connected to a froth flotation pump-88, mounted on framework l2, so that a solution, lighter than that entering the hopper 1.5 from conduit 58, and air may be directed :into and from the spray head t9.

In practical use of the present .invention, a solution containing peas is dropped into the mouth portion ill byway of hopper portion .45. This solution issprayed with an oil emulsion that is pumped through pipe 5c and from ejection end 4,8. The solution will then'pass intothe reel 38 Where some of the liquid-will return through conduit 5t back to reservoir 52.

The peas and some of the-solution'will pass from trough 55 and into hopper M by way of vertical conduit portion 55. Air and a solution lighter than that entering .conduit 58 will be forced into the hopper from the spray head 53. Bubbles passing through the solution in hopper M will collect upon foreign matter although the air .bubbles will not form on the surface of the peas. Since the foreign matter will have the air bubbles collected thereon, the foreign matter will have a density less than that of the peas, and the foreign matter will pass into overflow conduit means 60 whereas the peas will pass into conduit 20.

The peas are moved upwardly through conduit 29 and into reel 22 where excess liquid is removed from the peas and passes into the reservoir 24. The peas will then gravitate or be moved into the trough 28 and delivered to an inspection station or to a suitable apparatus for continuing the cleaning process.

Having describedthe invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a flotation cleaner including a hopper having upper and lower portions, an outlet conduit extending from the lower portion of the hopper and an inlet conduit extending downwardly into the upper portion of the hopper and having a lower discharge end terminating well above the lower portion of the hopper, said hopper also including an overflow conduit means at its upper portion; means within the hopper for directing air into a solution within the hopper whereby-air bubbles will collect on foreign matter in the solution and permit the foreign matter to rise in the hopper and pass through the overflow conduit means, said means within the hopper including a horizontally disposed spray head having downwardly facing orifices, and a combined baffle and shielding means supported over the spray head and including a fluted frustoconical upwardly tapering member having a perforated lower portion and an imperforate upper portion, said upper portion being spaced below and facing the discharge end of the inletconduit to deflect a solution discharged from the inlet conduit to thevsides of the hopper.

.2. In .a flotation cleaner including a hopper having upperrand lower portions, an outlet conduit extending from the lower portion of the hopper and an inlet conduit extending downwardly into the upper portion of the hopper and having a lower discharge end terminating well above the lower portion of the hopper, said hopper also including anoverflow conduit means at its upper portion; means within the hopper for directing air into a solution within the hopper whereby air bubbles will collect on foreign matter in the solution and permit the foreign matter to rise in the hopper and passthroughthe overflow conduit means, said 'means within the hopper including a horizontally disposed spray head having downwardly facing orifices, and a combined baffle and shielding means supported over the spray head and including a fluted frustoconical upwardlytapering member havinga per.- forated lower portionand being spaced belowand facing thedischarge end or the inlet conduit vto deflect a solution discharged fromthe inletconduit tothe sides of the hopper.

3.11:1 a flotation cleaner including a hopper having upper and lowerportions, an outlet iconduit extending from the lower portion of the hopper and an inlet conduit extending downwardly into the upper portion of the hopper and having a lower discharge endterminating well above the lower portion of the hopper, said'hopper also including an overflow conduit means at its upper portion; -means within the hopperfordirecting air into a solution within the hopper whereby'airbubbles will collect on foreign matter in the solution and permit the foreign matter to rise in the hopper and pass through-theoverflow conduit means, said meanswithin thehopper-including an air supply pipe extending into the lower portion of the hopper and having an upstanding delivery end disposed vertically within the center of the hopper and spaced well below the upper portion of the hopper in coaxial relationship with the discharge end of the inlet conduit, a horizontal spray head mounted on the delivery end of said supply pipe, and a conical upwardly tapering baflle supported over the spray head and including an upper imperforate conical portion spaced below and in registry with the discharge end of said inlet conduit and a perforated lower portion provided with flutes radiating from said upper portion.

4. In a flotation cleaner including a hopper having upper and lower portions, an outlet conduit extending from the lower portion of the hopper and an inlet conduit extending downwardly into the upper portion of the hopper and having a lower discharge end terminating well above the lower portion of the hopper, said hopper also including an overflow conduit means at its upper portion; means within the hopper for directing air into a solution within the hopper whereby air bubbles will collect on foreign matter in the solution and permit the foreign matter to rise in the hopper and pass through the overflow conduit means, said means within the hopper including an air supply pipe extending into the lower portion of the hopper and having an upstanding delivery end disposed vertically within the center of the hopper and spaced well below the upper portion of the hopper in coaxial relationship with the discharge end of the inlet conduit, a horizontal spray head mounted on the delivery end of said supply pipe, a bafile supported over the spray head and including a fluted and perforated frusto-conical lower portion and an imperforate conical upper portion, said conical upper portion being spaced below and in registry with the discharge end of said inlet conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 286,735 Rossler Oct. 16, 1883 457,803 Vanorman Aug. 18, 1891 1,124,855 Callow et al Jan. 12, 1915 1,187,772 Ohrn June 20, 1916 1,214,637 Zistel Feb. 6, 1917 1,312,754 Rowand Aug. 12, 1919 1,350,605 Greenawalt Aug. 24, 1920 1,518,010 Simpson Dec. 2, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 682 Great Britain of A. D. 1880 

